U.S. patent application number 15/568019 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for device for treating the hair comprising a laterally inserting refill.
The applicant listed for this patent is L'OREAL, SEB S.A.. Invention is credited to Anne DEBAUGE, Regis FEREYRE, Arnaud GRIENAY, Martial MAISONNEUVE, Edouard MESSAGER, Eddy NGO.
Application Number | 20180116362 15/568019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53524802 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180116362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GRIENAY; Arnaud ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
DEVICE FOR TREATING THE HAIR COMPRISING A LATERALLY INSERTING
REFILL
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for treating the hair
including a first and a second arm connected together by a joint
and able to move with respect to one another between a closed
configuration for treating the hair and a spread configuration for
engaging between them the hairs to be treated. The device also
includes a refill including a body having a housing, a member for
applying a cosmetic product received in the housing. The refill
includes at least one first mounting means engaging with at least
one second mounting means of the first arm, in such a way that the
assembly of the first and second mounting means is performed by
moving the first mounting means along an axis (Y) substantially
parallel to the joint, relative to the second mounting means.
Inventors: |
GRIENAY; Arnaud; (Lyon,
FR) ; NGO; Eddy; (Lyon, FR) ; MAISONNEUVE;
Martial; (Villefontaine, FR) ; FEREYRE; Regis;
(Chavanay, FR) ; MESSAGER; Edouard; (Asnieres sur
Seine, FR) ; DEBAUGE; Anne; (Saint-Ouen, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L'OREAL
SEB S.A. |
Paris
Ecully |
|
FR
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53524802 |
Appl. No.: |
15/568019 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
April 20, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/058786 |
371 Date: |
October 20, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 19/16 20130101;
A45D 2/40 20130101; A45D 2/001 20130101; A45D 2001/008 20130101;
A45D 2019/0041 20130101; A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 1/06 20130101;
A45D 1/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00; A45D 19/16 20060101 A45D019/16; A45D 2/40 20060101
A45D002/40; A45D 1/04 20060101 A45D001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 20, 2015 |
FR |
15 53485 |
Claims
1. A device for treating the hair, comprising: a first arm and a
second arm that are connected together by a joint and are able to
move relative to one another between a closed configuration for
treating the hair and a spread configuration for engaging hair to
be treated between said arms, and a removable refill comprising a
body having a housing, and a member for applying a cosmetic product
received in the housing, the refill comprising at least a first
mounting means interacting with at least a second mounting means of
the first arm, such that the first and second mounting means are
assembled by a movement of the first mounting means, along an axis
substantially parallel to the joint, relative to the second
mounting means.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, the second mounting means
having at least one surface, interacting by snap-fitting and/or
friction with a corresponding surface of the first mounting
means.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, one of the first mounting
means and of the second mounting means, comprising two facing walls
that between them enclose a support of the other of the first
mounting means and of the second mounting means.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, the two walls being
substantially parallel, for example spaced apart by a distance e of
between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, the first mounting means
comprising a locking member snap-fitting with a complementary
locking member of the second mounting means.
6. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the
walls comprises at least one guide part taking up mechanical stress
and at least one locking part preventing detachment of the
refill.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, the first arm or the refill
that carries the support comprising at least one notch for manually
unlocking the locking part.
8. The device as claimed in claim 3, the support being of a
constant thickness d substantially equal to the distance e between
the two walls.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, the first mounting means being
the same length as the second mounting means and/or extending over
a length substantially equal to the length of the refill.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, the first mounting means
having a width l of between 0.5 mm and 50 mm.
11. The device as claimed in claim 1, the second mounting means
having a width substantially equal to or greater than that of the
first mounting means.
12. The device as claimed claim 1, the housing of the application
member being oriented toward the second arm.
13. The device as claimed in claim 1, the first arm comprising a
recess, which receives the refill, and in which the first and the
second mounting means extend.
14. The device as claimed in claim 1, the refill comprising a
tongue extending along a surface of the refill oriented toward the
exterior of the device when the refill is mounted on the first
arm.
15. A refill of a device for treating the hair as claimed in claim
1.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to devices for treating the
hair, and more particularly, but not exclusively, those intended
for shaping the hair, in particular those intended for
straightening, curling or crimping the hair, comprising a removable
refill of cosmetic product, and to the corresponding refills of
cosmetic product.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Usually, hair straighteners consist of two arms that are
connected together with the aid of a hinge which makes it possible
to open and close said arms, and of at least one heating element
disposed on the arms. During operations of styling a lock of hair,
said lock is introduced between the two arms in the open position
and then the two arms are closed manually over the lock of hair.
The lock of hair is then subjected to the heat output by the
heating element, until the two arms are opened and the lock of hair
is removed.
[0003] Application WO 2009/078046 describes a hairstyling appliance
comprising two arms that are connected together so as to allow the
appliance to be opened and closed, at least one heating member and
at least one seat for accommodating a hair treatment device, the
hair treatment device allowing a haircare product to be dispensed
during operation. The hair treatment device is composed of a
support material impregnated with a haircare product and suitable
for a single use.
[0004] WO 2009/015027 and US 2009/0025247 disclose a
hair-straightening device that makes it possible to apply a
haircare product by contact with the hair. The haircare product to
be applied is contained in a removable refill for the application
thereof. The removable refill comprises a reservoir containing the
haircare product in a gelled form, and orifices for dispensing and
applying the product, said orifices being made directly through a
wall of the reservoir. The refill is introduced into a housing
disposed on one of the two arms of the hair straightener, by
sliding along the axis of the arm over which it extends.
[0005] FR 2 999 884 discloses a hair-straightening device that
enables steam to be sprayed on the hair.
[0006] Application WO 2013/045331 discloses an applicator for
applying a care substance to the hair, comprising a refill of care
substance held in a housing of the applicator. The cartridge
comprises a porous support saturated with the care substance.
[0007] Application WO 2013/090896 relates to an appliance for
treating the hair, in particular a hairstyling appliance,
comprising a treatment agent support, in particular a saturated
porous material, to be applied to the hair or the skin. The support
is fixed to an accessory, which is itself mounted in a removable
manner on a hair treatment appliance. The support is T-shaped,
allowing it to be mounted in a complementary groove in the
accessory.
[0008] Patent application EP 2 397 045 relates to a
hair-straightening device comprising a removable accessory having
an absorbent material supplied with liquid by a reservoir.
[0009] There is a need to further improve devices for applying a
haircare product such that the user can easily refill the device
with haircare product and/or change the haircare product to be
applied.
SUMMARY
[0010] According to a first of its aspects, a subject of the
invention is a device for treating the hair, comprising: [0011] a
first arm and a second arm that are connected together by a joint
and are able to move relative to one another between a closed
configuration for treating the hair and a spread configuration for
engaging hair to be treated between said arms, and [0012] a
removable refill comprising [0013] a body having a housing, and
[0014] a member for applying a cosmetic product received in the
housing, the refill comprising at least a first mounting means
interacting with at least a second mounting means of the first arm,
such that the first and second mounting means are assembled by a
movement of the first mounting means, along an axis substantially
parallel to the joint, relative to the second mounting means.
[0015] A refill of this type is easy to mount on the treatment
device by simply moving the refill relative to the first arm. It
suffices to cause the first mounting means to interact with the
second mounting means via a movement of the refill along an axis
substantially parallel to the joint between the two arms.
[0016] In addition, it is possible, if desired, when the refill is
mounted on the device in this way, to produce the refill such that
it maintains a surface, of non-negligible extent, turned toward the
exterior and visible to the user. This surface can serve as a
holder for information intended for the user, relating for example
to the type of composition contained in the refill and/or acting as
a reminder for the user of the refill manufacturer's trademark.
[0017] Lastly, the user can easily see that the refill is
present.
[0018] The second mounting means may have at least one surface
interacting by snap-fitting and/or friction with a corresponding
surface of the first mounting means; better still, the second
mounting means has at least two surfaces each interacting by
snap-fitting and/or friction with a corresponding surface of the
first mounting means.
[0019] Preferably, one of the first mounting means and of the
second mounting means comprises two facing walls that between them
enclose a support of the other of the first mounting means and of
the second mounting means. The walls are thus positioned on either
side of the support and in particular make it possible for the
refill to be held on the first arm. Preferably, the first mounting
means comprises the two walls and the second mounting means
comprises the support.
[0020] Preferably, the space defined between the two walls and the
support are of complementary form such that the two walls are able
to engage on either side of the support. The two walls may be
substantially parallel and in particular be spaced apart by a
distance e of between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, better still between 1 mm
and 5 mm.
[0021] The support may be of a constant thickness d substantially
equal to the distance e between the two walls.
[0022] The refill may be held on the first arm by friction between
the first mounting means and the second mounting means and/or by
interaction, particularly by snap-fitting, of a locking member of
the first mounting means with a complementary locking member of the
second mounting means.
[0023] For example, the walls are capable of being slightly
spaced-apart from one another upon mounting of the support between
them, such that the refill is locked on the first arm by friction
between the walls and the support.
[0024] In a variant, at least one of the walls comprises a locking
relief, forming one of the two locking members, interacting with a
complementary relief of the support forming the other of the
locking members. Preferably, one of the locking relief and of the
complementary relief is a projecting relief and the other of the
locking relief and of the complementary relief is a hollowed-out
relief.
[0025] At least one of the walls may comprise at least one guide
part taking up mechanical stress and at least one locking part for
preventing detachment of the refill. The locking part may comprise
at least one locking relief interacting with a complementary relief
of the support.
[0026] The first arm or the refill that carries the support may
comprise at least one notch for manually unlocking the locking
part, in particular a notch allowing a fingernail to be inserted in
a groove or under a rib of one of the walls in order to lift it,
with a view to unlocking the locking member.
[0027] Preferably, the first mounting means is the same length as
the second mounting means. The first mounting means may extend over
a length substantially equal to the length of the refill.
[0028] The first mounting means may have a width l of between 0.5
mm and 50 mm, better still between 2 mm and 30 mm. The second
mounting means may have a width substantially equal to or greater
than that of the first mounting means.
[0029] The first arm may comprise a recess which receives the
refill and in which the first and the second mounting means extend.
Preferably, the recess is delimited by two opposite surfaces and a
bottom.
[0030] The first or the second mounting means may extend
substantially over the entire length of the recess, in particular
between the two opposite surfaces of the latter.
[0031] In the use position, the refill may extend between the two
opposite surfaces and abut against the bottom. Preferably, the
length L of the refill is substantially equal to the length of the
recess defined between the two opposite surfaces of the latter.
[0032] The refill may comprise a tongue extending along a surface
of the refill oriented toward the exterior of the device when the
refill is mounted on the first arm. A tongue of this type enables
the user to easily remove the refill from the first arm. Said user
is able to take hold of the tongue with his hand and pull it upward
in order to disengage the first mounting means from the second
mounting means.
[0033] Preferably, the housing of the application member is
oriented toward the second arm. Thus, the application member is
facing the second arm and the cosmetic product can be applied to
the hair between the two arms after closure of the arms. The second
arm may comprise a press member against which the application
member bears.
[0034] Preferably, the application member is made from a porous
material or, in particular, from synthetic or natural fibers or
foam.
[0035] The application member is preferably impregnated with
cosmetic product, in particular a liquid cosmetic.
[0036] The application member is preferably configured for applying
a product in liquid form to the hair, in particular by contact
between the application member and the hair.
[0037] The arm opposite the one on which the refill is disposed may
have a steam outlet.
[0038] Preferably, in particular when the intention is to
straighten the hair, the device comprises a heating element
intended to come into contact with the hair, and better still two
heating elements, each disposed on a respective arm. This or these
heating element(s) may each comprise a plate, made of a material
that is a good conductor of heat, that defines a hot surface for
bringing into contact with the hair, the temperature of said
surface being for example greater than or equal to 95.degree. C.,
better still between 90 and 230.degree. C.
[0039] Preferably, product is applied to the lock of hair
introduced into the device prior to the application of steam and/or
straightening by the heating element(s). Thus, the hair introduced
between the arms can come into contact with the application member
before being exposed to the steam and to the heating elements while
the lock is being moved between the arms of the device.
[0040] Preferably, the device for treating the hair according to
the invention is a straightener having flat heating elements, in
particular which come into contact in the closed position.
[0041] A further subject of the invention is a refill of a device
for treating the hair according to the invention.
[0042] The invention may be better understood from reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary
embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in
which:
[0043] FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an example
of a device,
[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an example of a
refill,
[0045] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on in FIG. 2,
[0046] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of an
example of a device associated with the refill of FIG. 3,
[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a variant of a
refill,
[0048] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view on VI-VI in FIG. 5,
[0049] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of an
example of a device associated with the refill of FIG. 6,
[0050] FIG. 8 schematically and partially shows a top view of a
variant of a device,
[0051] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view on IX-IX in FIG. 8,
[0052] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a device,
and
[0053] FIG. 11 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of
the first arm of the device of FIG. 10.
[0054] In the rest of the description, identical or similar
elements or elements having identical or similar functions bear the
same reference signs in the figures, unless stated otherwise.
[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the handpiece 2 of an example of a device
for treating the hair according to the invention.
[0056] This handpiece 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 that are able to move
relative to one another between a spread configuration (not shown)
for introduction of a lock of hair between said jaws, and a closed
configuration for treatment.
[0057] The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by an upper arm 5 and a lower
arm 6, respectively, which, in the example in question, are
connected together at one end by a joint 8 extending along an axis
of articulation Y, the handpiece 2 thus forming tongs.
[0058] The upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 each preferably have a total
length of between 22 cm and 37 cm, for example equal to 31 cm, and
define, between the joint 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective
half-handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press in order to move
the jaws 3 and 4 together.
[0059] An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably
provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to a spread configuration, this
elastic return member being, for example, a spring disposed around
an axis of the joint 8.
[0060] The invention is not limited to a particular manner of
connecting the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 together, and the jaws 3
and 4 may be rendered able to move in some other way without
departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the
presence of a joint is largely preferred for the ergonomics it
provides.
[0061] The jaws 3 and 4 define between them a region for treating
the hair, said region being intended to receive a lock of hair to
be treated, the handpiece 2 being moved along said lock during the
treatment, for example in the direction from the root to the end of
the hair.
[0062] The handpiece 2 may be configured to apply a cosmetic
product, to treat the hair using steam, and then to perform a heat
treatment on the hair by contact with two hot surfaces.
[0063] The direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 over the
hair, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, is preferably substantially
perpendicular to the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6.
[0064] The handpiece 2 is connected by a lead, in the example in
question, to a base station (not shown) that is fixed during the
treatment and is connected to the mains.
[0065] This base station provides electric power to the handpiece 2
and also its supply of water for generating steam, and may also
carry out additional functions of processing electrical signals
received from the handpiece 2. The lead that connects the handpiece
2 to the base station may thus comprise various electrical
conductors and a water-supply line.
[0066] A user interface (not shown in the figures) may be present
on the handpiece 2 so as, for example, to give the user the option
of starting up certain handpiece components.
[0067] The cosmetic product is applied by a refill 20 carried by
one of the two arms 5 or 6, in this case the upper arm 5.
[0068] The refill 20 comprises a body of substantially
parallelepipedal form that, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, has a
housing 22 for an application member 26. The housing 22 and the
application member 26 are of complementary form. The opening of the
housing 22 is oriented toward the other 6 of the arms when the
refill 20 is mounted on the arm 5, such that the application member
26 is able to come into contact with the hair engaged between the
two arms 5 and 6.
[0069] The application member 26 is preferably made from a porous
material, for example a felt, saturated with cosmetic product.
[0070] When the handpiece 2 is used, the application member 26
adopts the closed configuration, in contact with the hair, and
applies the cosmetic product it contains to the hair. The cosmetic
product is preferably in liquid form.
[0071] The length L of the refill 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 is
between 10 mm and 120 mm, better still between 60 mm and 120 mm,
even better between 60 mm and 100 mm.
[0072] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the refill 20
comprises a first mounting means 27 interacting with a second
mounting means 29 of the first arm 5 to allow the refill 20 to be
mounted on the first arm 5. The first mounting means 27 is in this
case a clip 30 extending perpendicularly to a lateral surface 31 of
the refill 20. The clip 30 is formed by two walls 32 and 34 that
extend over the entire length L of the refill 20. The two walls 32
and 34 are preferably parallel and form a space 38 between them of
a thickness e of between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, better still between 1
mm and 5 mm.
[0073] The width l of the walls 32 and 34, measured from the
lateral surface 31 to their end, is constant and between 0.5 mm and
50 mm, better still between 2 mm and 30 mm.
[0074] The arm 5 comprises a recess 40 for receiving the refill 20.
The recess 40 is delimited by a front surface 42 and a rear surface
44 that are connected together by a lateral surface 46 defining the
bottom of the recess 40. The recess 40 has a support 48 of the
refill 20 forming the second mounting means 29 and having the form
of a plate extending longitudinally from the front surface 42 to
the rear surface 44 and transversely from the bottom 46 of the
recess 40. The support 48 is of constant thickness d, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, substantially equal to the thickness e of
the space 38 between the walls 32 and 34 of the refill 20. The
support 48 may be of a width f smaller than or equal to the width l
of the walls 32 and 34, such that the refill 20 abuts against the
bottom 46 of the recess 40.
[0075] In a variant, the support 48 may be of a width f greater
than the width l of the walls 32 and 34, such that the support 48
abuts against the lateral surface 31 of the refill 20.
[0076] The length of the recess 40 is substantially equal to the
length of the refill 20 in order that the latter fits
longitudinally in the recess 40.
[0077] The refill 20 is introduced by movement along an axis
substantially parallel to the axis Y of the joint 8. The walls 32
and 34 slide on either side of the support 48 until the refill 20
abuts against the bottom 46 of the recess 40 or until the support
48 abuts against the lateral wall 31 of the refill 20. The refill
20 can be kept in position by friction between the interior
surfaces of the walls 32 and 34 and the upper and lower surfaces of
the support 48. The space 38 is, for example, of a thickness e very
slightly smaller than the thickness of the support 48. The
positioning of the refill 20 in the recess 40 along the
longitudinal axis of the arm 5 is ensured by the contact between
the front 33 and rear 35 surfaces of the refill 20 and the front 42
and rear 44 surfaces of the recess 40.
[0078] The refill 20 may comprise a tongue 50 extending from the
other of the lateral surfaces 51 of the refill 20 and
perpendicularly to the latter. The tongue 50 is thus oriented
toward the exterior of the handpiece 2 when the refill 20 is in the
use position. A tongue 50 of this type makes it easier for the user
to position the refill 20 in the recess 40 and to remove it
therefrom. In fact, the user is able to grip the tongue 50 in order
to push or pull on the refill 20.
[0079] The refill may have a width k, excluding the tongue,
measured from its lateral surface 51 oriented toward the exterior
to the end of the clip 30, substantially equal to the width of the
recess 40, such that only the tongue 50 is wider than the recess
40.
[0080] The example illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 differs from that of
FIGS. 1 to 4 in that at least one of the walls 32 and 34, and in
this case the upper wall 34, has a projecting locking relief 52,
and in that the support 48 has at least one hollowed-out locking
relief 54 facing the projecting relief 52.
[0081] Upon positioning of the refill 20 on the arm 5, the
projecting relief 52 snap-fits in the hollowed-out relief 52 and
enables the refill 20 to be locked onto the support 48.
[0082] Preferably, the projecting relief 52 and the hollowed-out
relief 54 are such that they prevent the walls 32 and 34 from
disengaging from the support 48 under the inherent weight of the
refill and such that the force the user has to employ to disengage
the walls 32 and 34 of the support 48 is not excessive.
[0083] The other of the walls 32 or 34, and in this case the lower
wall 32, may also comprise a second projecting locking relief (not
illustrated) and the support 48 may comprise a second hollowed-out
locking relief 54 facing the second projecting relief
[0084] In a variant, the projecting relief 52 is on the support 48
and the hollowed-out relief 54 is on one of the walls 32 or 34.
[0085] The example of FIGS. 8 and 9 differs from that of FIGS. 1 to
4 in that at least one of the walls 32 or 34, in particular the
upper wall 34, comprises at least one guide part 56, and in this
case two guide parts 56, taking up mechanical stress and at least
one locking part 58 preventing detachment of the refill 20. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, the locking part 58 may comprise at least
one projecting locking relief 52 intended to snap-fit into a
hollowed-out locking relief 54 of the support 48.
[0086] The first arm 5 may comprise a notch 60 opening into the
recess 40 and toward the exterior and the upper wall 34 may
comprise a groove or a rib, and in this case a groove 62, on its
end surface facing the notch 60 of the first arm 5. To unlock the
refill, the user is able to slip a fingernail in the groove or
under the rib by way of the notch 60 in order to slightly lift the
upper wall 34 and to unlock the locking part 58 of the support
48.
[0087] The example illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 differs from that
of FIGS. 1 to 4 in that the clip 30 extends from the arm 5 and the
support 48 extends from the refill 20.
[0088] As above, one of the walls 32 or 34 may comprise a locking
member interacting with a complementary locking member of the
support 48 and/or the refill 20 may comprise a tongue 50.
[0089] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments
just described, and the features of the various examples may be
combined with one another within variants that are not
illustrated.
[0090] The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being
synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the
contrary.
* * * * *